What do you think?

Rob & Laura Epps said this was my twin from New Jersey and that it freaks them out...what do you think? I dont really see it (I think the red hair makes it really hard for me)

Well, I think I have to quit eating at McDonald's, today they offered me a 'Cliente Frecuente' (or a frequent buyer's card)...

that's embarassing (they also know what combo I order and that I drink orage Fanta)

some more pictures

Amber at her work station...
Me in the hallway at work...
A view of the office from Amber's desk (apparently we were the only ones there)

Well the hot water quit working in the shower...but today we're in the process of getting it fixed (without the help of the 'duena' of course), so we'll see...

Another day at Office Depot

Hey...Here's our Team Leads and Managers at work...Doesn't our job look fun!!!

Apparently it was dress your boss day...My team lead was the only one not pictured cause we are the only team who didn't bring anything in for her...how sad. Ambers TL is the woman in the witches hat. The big baby in the middle is our overall manager Rico and the guy in front of him with the huge wig is Miguel, the overall boss of the floor- I think, I don't really know what his job is but I think we're all supposed to be scared of him.

This is Diego, he was our first TL...His team won the contest and now they get free lunch on Friday...the office is always doing "crazy" stuff like this to make us enjoy our jobs...sometimes it almost works....

Nueva Entrada

Some funny things I've said recently in Spanish:

• Theres not alot of pans in the ocean (instead of waves)
• I think its crying outside (instead of raining)
• My niece and I went to the zoo and ate the baby giraffes, it was so fun (instead of fed them) (this one was my favorite, I couldn't stop laughing)

I had the rudest customer the other day. She kept interrupting everything I was saying to the point where I said, "Would you like me to fix this for you?" and her saying "Ohhh now you've got an attitude, are you saying you won't fix this for me. Just tell me when it's coming" and I said "I've tried to tell you three times that its coming on Monday if you'd just stop and listen to me." Then she demanded me to put my supervisor on the phone. I did and she told him how I had such a HUGE attitude and I shouldn't even work for Office Depot. When my supervisor got off the phone he said, "Dont worry. I dont believe her. You never score less than a 5-5 on your customer surveys and you're a great agent." I thought it was funny that he didn't even think twice about what the customer told him about me.
Speaking of work I'm starting a new schedule too, yay. I'll work 10:30 to 5m and can come in early in day I want. It'll be great! Today was Mother's Day here. We got double pay for working AND they gave us all a bag of chocolates (and flowers for the mothers). It was another good day at work (besides the fact that I took 60 calls)
The other day on the way to work I saw an EMT doing CPR on a man in the middle of the street. It was really sad.
We've had two earthquake tremors in the last couple weeks, it kind of makes me nervous- you know, working on the 7th floor next to the window.
I went to a "general council" or a sort of assembly thing for the Jehovah's Witnesses. I thought it would be educational but I couldn't understand most of what was going on and was completely lost during the drama. Mostly what I understood is that there are 7 million of them in the religion and there were alot of them killed recently in Georgia (the country not the state) for what they believe. I was told they are the only religion hated and not accepted by the world, I think Christians from all religion are killed everyday for what they belive. Oh and I'm so glad we have music like we do at Calvary Temple- the Disney orchestra music from hymnals was a little hard to take.
I have work email now that I can use during the day. Ive been using it mostly with Amber, my mom, Kate and now Derek. Its really great. I'm pretty sure it's Sara.Britt@officedepot.com or it's possibly Sara-Britt@officedepot.com I dont ever remember. But write me and we'll find out!
A special thanks goes out to Corey Devereaux...I just finished Season 10. Oh how great it was. I told you Corey, it's the gift that keeps on giving...
I have really come to love the people that fall asleep on the bus =) They provide so much entertainment and they don't even realize it.
Hey, if you haven't heard...I'm coming home for a visit!!! I'm very honored to be able to attend the wedding of one of my best friends: Jessica Williams. I am so excited! I'll get home Wednesday in the evening, Thursdays the bachelorette party (really sad that I'll probably miss Flashpoint), Friday I'll see my Grandmas and help out at the church if needed- Saturdays the wedding, Sunday is church- (can't wait to see all my friends and students!) and then Monday morning I leave again...But I can't wait!
When I come home can I please have some chips and dip, donuts and most importantly a gallon of milk????

I'm Still Down Here...

I realize its been about 2 weeks since my last update, but I am still here...

Lets see how many super-exciting things have happened since the 17th...

Well for starters Amber and I no longer work for UNELA. It really happend. I talked to Elizabeth by phone told her I wouldn't be able to do it anymore and I actually followed through with it. I thought for sure they'd ask me to stay and I'd cave- but I didn't! So this is not only quitting a job, but an interal victory for myself as well. And man it feels good. I loved teaching but it was alot of extra time a week and really far away, its just better for everyone (except the students and UNELA) that we quit.

Friday I went to the doctor and found out that I not only had some sort of bacterial infection (gross) but vertigo as well. She determined this by asking me about 10 minutes worth of questions related to my dizziness and then checking my eyes with a light. I guess theyre not responding appropriately and working to hard to do something simple. So as it turns out I don't need a new prescription already, I just need my eyes to get their act together and do the one job they were given. She gave me some prescriptions which averaged out to about $20 worth of medicine (really expensive here, plus they were the generic brands) but by this time next week I should be feeling a whole lot better, and a whole lot less dizzy- if not then I have to do some blood tests (yay)

I got to talk to my parents, and Derek for a couple hours this last week. I was really excited about that. I hadn't talked to them since they went home from here. And Derek I havent talked to in even longer (by phone or virtual communication) although I do recall a certain text message he sent me on June 8th that said (and I quote) "but I love u too n I promise to start emailing you!" Interesting, isn't it? That is a direct quote, I didn't add to that or take away in any way...

Aaron on the other hand has left me myspace messages as well as posting videos of my beautiful neices. You should check them out on YouTube if you haven't seen them yet, search by Reagan Micyal...although for my reading audience they probably wouldnt be of any interest. I did almost cry when Riley talked too me though. I also almost cried watching The Porch video Derek made with my Grandparents. I've just become a really sensitive person since I've been here. Amber and I both picked up new things like that. I'm always crying about something and she's always mad about something. We blame it on the culture shock- we are so not like that in real life (real life, as in, life in our hometowns)

Well I guess that about sums up the really cool life I've been living since the 17th, arent you glad you stopped by to waste your time reading that =)

Oh! And no work tomorrow- national holiday! =) But if I did want to go it would be Beach Theme Day in the office- however, no see through clothing, no spaghetti straps and if you wear shorts they must be knee length- so the only adjustment they really made to the normal dress code is, we could wear flip flops and beach appropriate hats. As tempting as that is I think I'll just stay home and sleep all day.

Shooting at Work

So I just remembered a story that I hadnt told yet and here's a picture of where it all takes place (Mall San Pedro, where we work):

The Friday my mom came to town I was going to leave directly from work to go downtown to get a bus to the airport cause she was supposed to get in around 7 (this was prior to all the delays). So after work Amber and I were waiting for the elevators when the guard was like, "Hey, you probably shouldnt go down there. There's a guy in the mall with a gun." So were were like, hmm its probably a good idea to just stay here so we went back into the office and waited there- our offices have guards on every floor so we were safe.

Just then our co-worker Alice came running in crying saying she lost Bonnie, our other co-worker. We were trying to understand what happened and when we sat her down and gave her some water to catch her breath she told us she was in Fusion, a bar at the entrance to the mall, when an argument broke out and one guy stood up and shot another guy several times in the chest. They all went running from the bar but Bonnie went back to get her purse. Alice ran directly to the office because she didn't know where to go.

The man with the gun also went running through the mall and injured two more people along the way. He stopped near our office and ran into the bank, I guess he was gonna try and get all he could while he was on the go. He was in there for quite awhile before the police actually got him.

During all that our managers and team leads went out into the mall to find each of the people that had just clocked out and were headed to the bar. Another team lead got in his car and drove around the mall looking through the crowds out there to find them as well. As each person was found phone calls were made to the office to inform the other people waiting. I was really impressed with how they handled that and went out looking for the employees.

Later on the news we saw that the fight broke out because there were two groups of people sitting next to eachother and at one table there was a black man and someone at the other table made a racial slur and kept saying stuff to him. So the black man's friend started yelling at the other guy to stop and ended up killing him in his friend's defense. I'm sure alcohol played some role in all of that.

It was a pretty scary evening, but everyone from work was safe. I applied for a job at work, didnt get it haha, but I'll try again when they repost it. Amber only works half days now so she comes home and works on the computer here for awhile for her mom. I guess that's all the super exciting news for right now =) the last week has been kinda slow so nothing new and nothing worth taking pictures of...

My Parent's Week in Costa Rica:

Ok so my parents have been here all week and are leaving tomorrow (very sad) but we did have a lot of fun!

Mom got here Friday- after her flight was delayed about 4 hours, which meant we didn't get back to my house until after midnight- and she'd been up for about 28 hours. I also tried waxing my legs for the first time it was horrible.

Dad got here Saturday afternoon- he got in about the time we expected, maybe about 30 minutes later, but no big deal (not like mom's flight) We rented a car afterwards and went grocery shopping for the beach.

Sunday we left around 10:30 for the beach (after we said we were leaving at 9, but we're Britt's so its expected) When we got to the beach it was SO hot, but SO beautiful. We checked in but didn't do much else on Sunday, walked around the hotel pool and stuff and cooked dinner. This is the view fom the hotel.

Monday we spent the whole day at the beach, it was overcast and finally started raining around 4 or so but it was nice. We walked both directions as far as we could so we did a lot of walking.

Tuesday we spent the whole day in the Manuel Antonio national park. It was really nice. We saw iguanas, crabs and lots of monkeys. We "hiked" through the forest there and then spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach inside the park. (dad jumping over a tree)

These monkeys were being teased by a boy who had a banana. He put it in the backpack and walked away. Well this monkey jumped out of the tree ran over opened the backpack, took it out and ran back up the tree to share with his friends

Wednesday we went to the pool in the morning and then afterwards drove back (only about 3 1/2 hours) We did stop on a bridge and saw about 14 crocodiles in the river below us, that was pretty cool.Then we returned the car and then didnt do much else.

Thursday and Friday I had to go back to work (although I do have a doctor's note for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to prove how sick I was those days) My parents came to the mall and had lunch with me- they took a bus there all by themselves, I was so proud =) afterwards we took a taxi downtown to the hotel they were going to stay in and had dinner there. Friday they did an all day tour and went to see Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, a coffe plantation and saw how they make the coffee and a bunch of wildlife and waterfalls. They said they really enjoyed it, and did get some great pictures.

Saturday we went to Puntarenas, the closest beach to the city. It wasn't 1/2 as beautiful as all the other beaches I've been to here in Costa Rica but it was still a beach. It was great to spend a Saturday outside of the house, which is where we usually spend every Saturday =)

Amber protecting her new hair color:

We swam in a volcano!

Ok well we're back safe and sound, no problems on the return trip =)

Friday we went to Laguna de Apoyo and it was beautiful! We thought it was going to be a beach on some lake or something but actually it was a pool of water inside a volcano! The volcano used to be active and the cone caved in causing it not to function anymore and when that happen rain water filled up the crater. Although in the beginning you couldn't swim in it because the sulfuric acid content was so high, now its at a safe level leaving the water a pretty bluish-green color. And the water is still warm from the vents inside the volcano. It was such a relaxing day, there were only a handful of people there so it was very quiet, and the whole day only cost $10!

A view of the laguna from when we were walking:
The view from the hostel there (AMAZING):

The lounging area on the shore:

But before you think that went over smoothly let me tell you what happened that morning (because nothing is easy with us). We got up real early and had breakfast and got all our stuff ready to go and then we were sitting around waiting for the bus to stop by. Well it was five minutes past when it was supposed to be there so we went to the front desk to ask where it was. Thats when the unhelpful girl from before said, 'oh ...that bus left- you shouldve put your name on the list.' I was SO mad because I had been to the desk 3 times to ask about this trip and she never mentioned a list...ugh that still makes me mad. So she said you can try the other hostel they might have openings on their bus and she gave us directions there. So we walked to that hostel and they said 'oh sorry our bus is full' (which turned out to be a lie cause NO one else was at the laguna that day) So we decided to take a taxi- it was only a 20 minute drive so it would be $5 each instead of $3 to take the bus (no big deal)

Well the taxi driver got us there and then asked where to let us out. We told him what the sign at the hostel said and he pretty much just stared at us blankly. So he drove back and forward for about 10 minutes before I finally decided we'd just get out and walk cause we didnt have the money to pay for that and our day at the laguna (and to the Hendersons you should know Amber did not want to do that). Well he let us out and we walked down to the shore (after Amber briefly cried) and walked for about 10 minutes one way and found nothing so we turned around and walked the other way for about 15 or so and finally saw two girls. We asked them where the place was and luckily it was there so we unloaded and relaxed (finally).

We left Sunday morning, and unfortunately missed the Gold Cup Final between the US and Mexico but we were given updates and told the US won (yay!) so that was the highlight of the bus trip (and we were prepared to pay the exit fee this time). And even though we were back in time to work Monday we'd already requested it off so we just stayed here and slept in, it was nice. So today was back to work as usual and Friday's pay day! (also the day rent is due- unfortunately)

Amber on the bus ride (lets see if she ever gets on here to see this):

(haha, she'll kill me)

My mom gets here Friday and my dad on Saturday! I'm so excited to show them around here and spend some time with them...it'll be so great to be with family...Ok well that's enough rambling for now....

I´m in Nicaragua...

Yes its true we are here in Nicaragua.

Our visas are up next week so we had to leave the country for 72 hours to renew them. Nicaragua was closer, cheaper, and easier to plan out at the last minute (although I dont know why its last minute cause we knew for the last 90 days or so wed have to be leaving).

Anyway so we got up this morning at 3:08, because I hit snooze and Amber fell asleep before setting her alarm and the taxi arrived somewhere around 3:20, 3:30. And our bust left at 4:30. At the bus station we were informed that we´d have to pay an exit fee at the border, but this was news to us. At work on Wednesday our friend Sergio said the fee was only if you were flying and we wouldnt have to pay anything. Because of this neither of us had cash, only enough Colones to pay for the taxis in Costa Rica.

(can you believe how white we are???):

We were nervous the whole bus ride about getting off in the right city because the bus was going to Managua and we wanted off in Granada. So we told everyone who was working with TransNica, or seemed to be helping with the luggage, at every stop that we needed off at Granada. Well we made one stop before the border at a little restaurant but they only accepted cash, of course, so we couldnt eat. Amber asked for a cup of hot water because shes been feeling sick and wanted to drink some TheraFlu, but they gave her a glass of cold water instead and told her thats what they had.

Shortly after, a man came down the asiles to collect our $8 for the exit fee. Amber and I felt like we were in school again and the teacher was coming around to check off homework assignments and we knew we hadn´t completed ours. When he got to us we told him we had no cash and asked if thered be an ATM at the border. He looked very disappointed in us and told us there was one in Nicaragua but not before and hed allow us to pay him when we arrived.

After that conversation we fell asleep until the border, about 10am. We got off and were mobbed by people trying to convert money for us. It was a 3-man tag-team. The first guy put a calculator in your face from the right, the second pushed a huge handful of money in your face from the left and the third guy just walked around you really fast and they all were really excited about helping us exchange it, but sadly we had none to exchange.
(the man behind amber sold every 'brand' of watch you could imagine):
We were the last ones in line to get our passports stamped so of course everyone had to wait on us, which I´m sure made that man really happy- not only had we not paid but now we´re holding up the whole bus. After we were stamped we were rushed onto the bus and driven a short distance to another stop where they were going to check our suitcases. He made us go into the bank there and get money to pay him. However the ATM only gave us money in Cordobas and we had NO idea how much to take out. So each of us took out 100 just to see how that would go over. When the money was exchanged it came out to approximately $15 =) we were expecting a little bit more haha Well from there we had our bags checked and then walked over to the immigration building. We paid the man and he gave us some insructions about the bus that we didnt understand so we just kinda smiled and nodded and laughed a little bit and as we left he told me he loved me in english. I´m just glad that he was looking out for us and let us enter the country without paying.

We got off the bus in Granada on a little street and were directed to the ´bus station´to get our return tickets stamped and dated. It was like a living room of someones house where all the bus records were done in a notebook...I just hope we can make it back on Sunday. We took a taxi to the hotel/hostel and arrived just as they began fumigation so we were told we could leave our bags and come back in a 1/2 or so. What were we supposed to do? Well we found somewhere to eat and a bank (the first banks ATM was broken of course) so we should be set for the weekend.
(this is where the bus leftus, in the middle of no where):

So we are alive, we made it across the border, and we´re safe in the hotel. Its an interesting little place, we´re splitting a room $8.50 each/night. If you want to call it a room. Its a set of bunk beds about 2 ft from the wall and thats it, nothing else.

our room:the pool: the 'hang out area':
PS Matty´s moving out of the complex soon- Hes moving to Nicaragua for like 2 months. Amber and the owner of the complex had a fight over the laundry room, that lady is crazy (the owner, not amber) The whole time she was yelling at Amber it sounded like she was going to break into tears. It was really awkward.

my pay rate sucks, but what a great job!!!

OK so heres whats going on at work....

Meeting after meeting after meeting, we've been complaining about our pay because its more that a $1.50 less per hour that what the other call centers are making and our job is three times as difficult with so much more to learn...

well they told us yesterday we'd be getting a 50 cent raise... but with that their dropping our bonus from .85 to .50 meaning that overall we would only be making .30 more...if we're being an amazing representitive and make no mistakes, ever. so really that means nothing...

so after an awful week at work (awful enough we thought about quitting and went to datascension to ask about jobs) friday came along. started off bad for amber cause someone stole her pocket translator... but then its like the whole world changed...

we moved upstairs to new offices (they were renovated with the money they were gonna give us for pay raises) but since the offices were new all the bugs werent worked out in the system so we couldnt work for the first two hours!!

then since the team has been doing so good we had an ice cream sundae bar!!! it was a waffle cup, with two scoops of ice cream and then practically any topping you could imagine! it was amazing- and better yet, they let us leave the phones to eat it and we didnt have to use our break time!

then we got awards! amber and i both got perfect attendance awards and then she got most consistent 5-5s (which is a perfect rating for her phone calls from the customers- they answer 1-5, was she helpful, knowledgable and would you reccomend office depot to someone else) then i got another award for most calls handled per week from the team (206), that was monday through thursday- my team leader monica said that today wasnt included...

which is my next point, we have a new team leader- monica. shes from chicago, about our age and very nice...she let me take my lunch 2 hours early today!

next...since amber and i didnt pass our last certification test we have been retesting this week and we both past!!!

then because we got two certificates, we got two gifts from office depot! a really cool water bottle and piggy bank!!!!

(side note, on wednesday they gave everyone a quiznos sub at work)

basically...we love orbis now!!! all the ice cream, awards, pictures, etc has really changed our perspective. who cares that we're being paid close to nothing, we get ice cream and subs! and sometimes they put up balloons! our job may not have enough money to give us a decent salary but they do have enough to throw one of the best ice cream parties ive ever seen!!!

so costa rica lost to canada, but hey the US won! ok well i just wanted to share with everyone that even if your company doesnt pay you well, but they present a nice working enviornment the employees can still be happy....

Identity Theft...

Ok so a couple things have happened since my last entry, but not too much..

First, I received a package from the Teeple's =) That was very exciting, although I went through a lot to get it. On Monday night Randall gave me the slip to go and pick it up so on Wednesday I asked my 'team leader' (aka boss) if I could leave a few minutes early to go and pick it up because the post office closes at 5:30 and I get off work at 5 and by the time I walked down stairs and on the other side of the mall and then to the bus stop I wouldn't make it in time. So anyway he let me leave 10 minute early. Well I got downstairs and when I left the mall it was pouring down rain and of course I never remember my umbrella even though it rains almost every day...so I walked to the bus stop- its probably a good two or three blocks away and I just barely missed the signal to cross the road so I had to wait- in the rain. So while I was waiting I saw my bus drive by and then it stopped in traffic. So I was getting really anxious to cross and then the light changed, just as the bus started moving. So I started running (in high heel wedge sandals that lace around my ankles) to catch the bus. So I wave him down and he stops and the I have to run along side the bus in the little drainoff area, full of water- it was so gross. Well I got on and made it to the post office ok, got the package and walked outside only to see one of my buses pulling away (normally id wait for the next one, but not in the rain) So I wave him down while holding on to the box from the Teeple's and then run and jump on the bus. Well he wasn't about to wait for me to sit down so I'm standing there trying to dig out my money and I couldn't hold on to anything cause I had the box in one hand and the other hand in my pocket, so I was getting tossed all over the place and almost fell twice- I can only imagine what all the other people on the bus were thinking...anyway, so I got home and opened it and it was tons of gum, twizzlers and oreos! yayThe only thing that couldve been better is if the Oreos were double stuf, but you know what, I like the regular one alot too...So thank you Teeple family- and thank you Amanda for the Costa Rican stationary...

Heres a picture of the goods:

So Thursday I went to a store on my lunch break to buy some stuff and when I went to pay for it my card didn't work. So I asked the man to try again because I knew there was money on it. He did it again and it didn't work. I went directly to the ATM but my card didn't work there either. So I just forgot about it. When I got home I had two text messages from my mom saying I had suspicious activity on my card and then one saying someone had stolen my information and been using it. So I went online to check my statement and it said I had -$500 available (it was only at $300 some when my mom looked a couple hours before) So I talked to my mom who was talking to the bank and we've worked it out, the card is invalid now- which kindof sucks because that means I can't use it for anything and I have to rely on my last paycheck to last me until I get the new card. But that may end up being difficult because I have a PO Box and no physical address. So we'll see how that all goes, I'll send in the affidavit of fraud, and after that just wait I guess.

This is me being sad about my card. This is also me with my hair down (something I haven't done in a couple weeks)

Monday starts the next bimestre for UNELA (woo hoo) I'll be teaching from the green book again, the more advanced students. I just hope this time they've been placed in the right level so we can actually cover the material and they don't all fail. My Saturday class from last bimestre was so good! Almost everyone ended with an A, I was so proud.

Last night I finally saw Pirates of the Caribbean. I did like it, it was long, but good. I think the reason it seemed so long was because we went to the 10:40 showing. So is there gonna be a fourth one?

PS Amber has a new cell phone the number is 001-506-395-7969...her phone is just as cool as mine.

ITS NEW!

Amber with her Tres Leches birthday cake...

ok so what's happened lately?

• I cut my hand on a bean can.
• I cut my thumb on a knife.
• I spilled burning wax down my hand and arm.
• I tripped on the way out of the mall.
• I wrote on my face with pen at work (luckily it was right before break so I could wash it off)
• The termites are attacking again.
• The kitchen roof is leaking somewhere- we came home to a lake in there yesterday.
• It seems the toilet has started leaking again.
• Amber's birthday was not good for her (including, but not limited to: she had to stay late at work, didnt get her paycheck on time, stood in the rain alone, and cried)
• But she's fine now, you know how you get emotional when you're birthdays not perfect=)
• I got a cell phone! Yay! 
• My cell phone number is 011-506-307-9833 (thats the country code/area code/ everything)
• I've been yelled at soo many times at Office Depot. It's kindof annoying when someone calls and instantly starts yelling at you- not knowing whether or not you're going to be able to help them. Today I had a man so mad about not having a price matched that he's calling the news stations and the newspaper in his local town and then he's gonna sue the president of Office Depot and everyone in the world is gonna know what happened to him...That was a fun call, I actually enjoyed it alot.
• The owner's daughter got a miniature poodle (smaller than Teenie, kind-of like when Aaron & Meghan first got her) and today they shaved off all her curls and shes so adorable!!!
• I can't wait till my next paycheck so I can look into getting a puppy of my own, now that the owner said it's ok!
• We only have 30 more days till we have to leave the country, thats when our visas run up. So we have to find a place to go for 76 hours- Nicaragua or Pananma, we'll see.
• At work they asked Amber, me and Alice (a girl from Australia) to come up with a plan for teaching business English at work. Kindof like coaching the employees they have to speak better English. We'd be getting a pay increase if it all works out.
• I've had 3 people thank me for speaking English when I answered the phone and then tell me how awful it was getting people in Indonesia and Central America who can't speak the same language (although all of the Office Depot employees have to pass an English exam- written and oral)
• Did I mention that my cell phone is probably the coolest one that's out right now?....I had to read the manual in order to operate it, I couldn't figure anything out...and the date is set for 1991 (haha haha) and I don't know how to change it...
• Tomorrow is our last Saturday at UNELA, thank goodness. Now we can sleep in on Saturdays. They are sad about it, but what can they really do- they aren't paying us!
• On top of our rent the owner tried to make us pay $26 for electricity and $20 for water. We later found out (after paying the electricity) that it shouldve only been $8 maximum for that. So we're not sure what happened. But we refused to pay the water because $6 is the normal price for this. We think she's trying to stick us with the bill for the entire complex.
• We're not as dumb as we look.
• How's summer at home? I can't believe I'm gonna miss the entire summer!
• Why have Aaron & Meghan not posted any pictures. I know they took pictures of the girls swimming. Where are they?
• If you plan on mailing stuff make sure you write out COSTA RICA really big so they don't lose it. It seems to have been an issue with some things that we haven't received yet.
• Thanks for the packages (to both set of parents) We were very excited...
• And thanks to the English students for the cards, I loved them! And I miss you guys!

Hmm.....what else?.....I'm sure theres more quick updates, but I can't think of them right now...if I do I'll add them

Me and my cool new phone!!!

Sorry it's been so long...Calm down!

I know everyone has been checking this daily wondering, "When will she post again? What's going on down there? Is everything ok? Have the bugs won that battle and the girls haven't lived to tell about it?" Well I'm sorry! But I'm back and I'm going to tell you exactly what's been going on and I am sorry for the wait...

Friday (the 4th) we went to see Spiderman 3 the night it came out. Not the midnight premiere, but that night- you know what I mean. 

This is me and Amber with Jorge-

she loves my 80s hairstyle here...

I have to say I agree with her.

Monday I moved my clothes over. So now I am officially living in the other bedroom. We got the bed and I slept there once to test it out, cause I was still unsure and I ended up liking it so I moved all my stuff over and now I sleep there. It's nice minus the bright yellow sponge-painted walls; the plain decor of the other room was so much better. Monday was also the last night TJ was in the country so they all came over to hang out here. Then, he went home the next morning, by bus (10 hours to the capital of Nicaragua, an overnight stay there, and then 10 more hours to his city in Honduras) Not a trip that sounds particularly pleasing to me, but I'd be willing to make it. Apparently TJ is one of the wealthier (or wealthiest) families there and he did offer for us to take a trip there in 2 months when our tourist visas run out. I think we may take him up on it. We'd know someone and have a place to stay (including meals) meaning we'd only have to pay the bus fare. Not bad.

Wednesday was my dad, and Katie's, birthdays. I called them both. Their gifts were the phone calls and the cards I sent haha, It's expenive to wish someone a happy birthday from another country, something we take for granted in the states...

Thursday after class we went to Giovanni's house to watch the first game (of two) for the National Championship (soccer, of course) And it just so happened that the teams playing were the two teams that Amber and I like. My team was winning 2-1 until the final minutes when her team scored and then the game was over. So it was a sad ending for everyone cheering for our team. At the house, there were two babies (3 and 4 months old) and one dog! It was like heaven! Only one baby woke up while we were there and I could only talk to him in English, I dont know how to say baby stuff in Spanish, plus he liked the English anyway...

I might be able to get a cell phone we're going to check into some prices and see if it can be done (not legally of course haha) Amber's getting hooked up through a guy at work.

*Side Note- I just got a call from a man looking for Maria Somebody and he had the phone number right, but she doesnt live here. She doesnt even live on this side of town. So after we cleared that up he asked who I was and all these questions like we were having a normal conversation and then it got really awkward so I was like ok, well im sorry you had the wrong number and he was like ok, well Sara- it was nice meeting you maybe I'll give you a call another time. And I just laughed and said ok, well, bye.

Oh, also last week we went to this store- Hiper Mas- and it's just like WalMart! It has everything from yard stuff to stuff for the house, to food, plus a pharmacy and, well, everything...it was great. Although all I bought was a blanket, some cereal bars, and American peanut butter. Something I've missed, and the national brands here just don't taste right for some reason.

Sunday was mother's day. I did send my mom a card, thank you very much, and she did get it before she left on vacation (man I'm good)...I also called her- a 12 minute/$36 call...that she'll be paying for =) haha, thanks Mom...Sunday night was also the championship game. We were up 1-0 at half, then the other team scored after the half and then we scored immediately after and it was 2-1 for a long time. Then the other team got a corner kick and they scored making it even...then right at the end of the game they got a direct kick close to the goal and the ball bounced off someone then goalie was down everyone was scrambling and then someone passed it back into the mix in front of the goal and then with 5 guys (yes we counted during each replay) offsides they scored again. The linesman acted like he didnt even see their whole team offsides! It was frustrating, but you know, I'm not a passionate fan (since I just started supporting the team a month ago) but as a third party I didn't think it was fair that the other team won the National Championship while 5 guys were offsides....

The came over for the game too...

I can't spell his name and her's is Melissa.

Today was our first day taking live calls at work (!) it was scary but we survived. I think only one of all my calls was normal. I had people who needed me to match prices, accept coupons, find 22 leather chairs in a certain price range and have them delivered before friday, one woman needed a table no taller than 22 inches tall and preferred it be under $200, a woman who was looking for a portable DVD player at a certain Miami location, a woman who needed checks for her company, oh so many weird things. I think I got a lot better with the calls by the end of the day but I was sweating SOO much during each call! It was awful. I did make a joke today, I was so proud of myself. The woman ordering checks works for an eye doctor, and their fax number ended in 2020, and I laughed and told her about how convenient that was and she laughed and told me she'd never realized (I'm glad she laughed). Still makes me laugh a little bit right now thinking about it...tomorrow will be better. Wednesday they'll start listening to our calls and rating us (no pressure)...

Well that's about all for now!!! How do you feel now that I updated? So relieved I'm sure...

PS...Thanks for calling Luis Molina =) It was so good hearing from you!

Andres- I thought about it and I think this is what I'd like for you to send: (any of the following is fine, pick something) 2 bags of Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, Double Stuf Oreos, Rice Krispies, and/or candy...So now you have something to choose from =) Double check the address with my mom, It may be different than what you have.... Thanks Andres! =)

If it's not one thing, it's another...

So its been almost a week and this time stuff has actually happened...

Saturday we walked to Plaza del Sol, it's behind our house and one major street over. But there was an Auto Mercado there that has almost everything! But the prices are not good. There was a small bottle of Dove body wash for $6, a little ridiculous. But while we were there we saw a little puppy at the pet store sleeping in his food bowl cause he was cold. He was just the cutest little dog and I'm gonna talk to the owner here about getting him! He's a brand new puppy for only like $100. It's almost too good to be true. Plus we have the little extra room here that we dont use that has a gate on it already- perfect for an animal....so we'll see.

Monday morning we started our training for Orbis (the Office Depot company) The first two days were pretty slow, we didn't do much since the computers weren't ready for us; so we sat and listened to pretty much an 8 hour lecture. It was ok though because they gave us all notebooks and pens to take notes with so I ended up drawing a lot of cool pictures. Wednesday we started on the computers and started learning the ordering system and how to do the different operations. So far we're understanding it pretty well. But we haven't learned the difficult things like making returns, giving credit, customer complaints, etc. I guess that will come later. Today I was alone in the training room working on my lesson plan during a break and our two trainers were having a little spat. Gary told Westley- "I don't feel like we're even a team anymore" and Westlley sounded a little annoyed and kinda said what he thought and then Gary said, "I'm just expressing how I feel." It was pretty funny, and a little bit awkward too since I was the only person in the room while they were fighting- I tried to look busy.

House News: We got our second bed!!! Not that we have any big plans on using it anytime soon but it is there if we need it haha. They also sprayed in our ceiling for termites since we've had an outbreak- or ome sort of plague...it's been terrible...but hopefully itll be better soon. Also since the insects aren't really a problem right now of course something else has to be happening, an that is- the toilet is leaking. We don't know from where or why, but in the mornings we go in there and theres a lake around the toilet. Tomorrow theyre sending a plumber to check it and see if it's our fault or if its just old or something. If they think it's our fault we have to pay, if not they pay. But we really have no idea how it could possibly be our fault.

Last night we went with some friends to watch the Saprissa game against Heredia (the spelling may be off but you don't know otherwise) Well Saprissa is like the huge team here cause they're from San Jose but I don't cheer for them because they're purple and white (a little gay in my opinion). So I cheer for the team from Alajuela- they're red and black (so much more manly). However, I haven't cheered for them at all because I've never seen them play! =) But after the game last night we (Me Amber & 4 Ticos) drove up one of the mountains to a look-out point where you can see all of San Jose and Heredia and it was so beautiful cause it was night time and there were soo many lights. I was really glad we went there.

But for now this is all I'm gonna write because we're supposed to be going to the premiere of Spiderman 3 at midnight and I haven't heard from our friends yet. So I need to go call them and get ready. I'll also try and get some pictures up here...Love you guys!

It's hard being pioneers...

So tomorrow makes one full month that we've been here...Can you believe it!

No bug scares since the other night, thank God. Today we bought more Mata Todo- the bug spray we've been using- and we plan on self-fumigating again tomorrow, or Sunday- or sometime soon- I don't really know when. We've been seeing some little tiny baby roaches, like ant-size and that makes us nervous that they will soon be giant roaches and take over our house (cause I gotta say, we wouldn't put up much of a fight against them)

Yesterday we lost power around two o'clock, luckily I had already taken a shower. However, Amber hadn't so she had to take a nice cold one...The power stayed off until after we left for class last night so there's no telling how long it was off. During our taxi ride to the school we heard them saying on the radio that they were shutting off power in different parts of the city to work on it and it would only be off for a few hours at a time. We did have power at the school but they did inform us that we would be having class regardless (of if we had it or not)- which was hard for Amber and I to understand because each class only has one candle and no candle holder. So we'd have to walk around with the candle during the instruction time and hold it over their papers so they could write and next to the board so they could read, etc...while hot wax dripped down our hands...We just don't think that was a good plan. But fortunatelty we didn't have to worry about it cause we had power all night.

This morning when we woke up we were powerless again though. It went out sometime before 10 and was out until about 3:30. This was especially sad for me because I have missed Lola (my novela) for the past couple days and when I start working next week I'll never get to watch it. But I did get to see the last half of it today, so that was nice. We also cooked on the gas burners which is never fun. Amber screamed cause the flames were engulfing her pan (my friend on the phone asked if she had seen a roach since she was screaming) then when I used it I burned my hand in two places. It's hard being pioneers...

Well since the power was out for so long today we did absolutely nothing. We cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom, went to Pali and watched a lot of 'Friends' (thank you Corey Devereaux...did I spell that right? I'm going from memory here) And you know what...I decided, and I think Amber would agree with me, that all tile floor is a really bad idea. It's impossible to ever keep it clean. Plus the tile in the bathroom is white so it just always looks dirty. I don't know what to do anymore and it drives me crazy!

But, sadly enough, that about sums it up! =) I'm sure we'll have some better stories once we start working (hopefully) and have real lives- right now we're just like highschool freshman on summer vacation without a car to go do anything....


PS- I just realized if you click on the photos you can see them in full size...you know since some of them are so small...

The Attack of Flying Insects....

So the last few days haven't been very eventful but I'll make a new entry anyway...

Saturday's class was good, we played alot of games and spent about 1 of the 4 hours just in conversation practicing the new grammar focus. Then after class we went to the mall for ice cream with Daniel. He had a friend, a highschool boy, that told him I was so beautiful he had to hold on the railing when I was talking to them. Haha, I love how dramatic some people can be, but don't worry nothing's gonna happen he has a girlfriend...oh and he's like 5 or 6 years younger than me haha....

Anyway on Sunday I left in the morning to go to the airport to return the suitcase from my parents. However, the bus driver didn't stop at the airport like he said he would- he took the ramp going the opposite way and we were headed to the next state over! So we had to get off at a little stop in the middle of the highway and walk back to the airport, it was probably about a mile or so which wouldn't have been that bad had it not been so hot and we were both wearing black shirts carrying a huge suitcase. But we got there and security let us wait inside the airport (which was airconditioned) to give them the bag. They got there about an hour after us, despite our trek down the highway, but they were very grateful because they had too much stuff in their bags and needed the extra space.

Yesterday we REALLY didn't do anything intersting. We did go to the post office and to an outlet mall for about an hour, but that was the highlight of our day. We could've stayed longer if we had money to spend and if my 'novela' Lola wasn't coming on. But I'm addicted to that show, it's just so good! I'll be so sad when I'm working during the day and miss it. If only it came on an hour later...

However, last night was a little bit interesting. We were laying in bed with the TV on and there was something flying around the TV so Amber wanted to turn the light on and kill it cause she thought it was a beetle (I only thought it was a moth) So we turned the light on only to reveal about 100 of these things flying around our room! We were screaming and racing to get out of the room trying to grab our flip flops on the way out while we were ducking and covering our heads...When we got out we tried to make a plan to kill them. We went back in with flyswatters and went at it. Amber got scared cause one was flying at her so she went running out of the room only to trip and fall- sliding a little bit through the doorway. Then we were laughing so we both went out into the hall and decided we needed to turn on just the hallway light to attract them all there and then we could kill more. So we turned off the bedroom light and just waited in the hall with the flyswatters. Slowly they came out, then a little faster and we were swatting like crazy- Amber said it felt like a video game to her....But we were killing them left and right- it was a bloodbath in the hallway. We still aren't completely sure what they were. At first we thought flying ants, then we thought termites, but we still aren't sure. We just know that there is a HUGE pile of what's left of them in the hall.

Today we don't really have any big plans again. I need to go to Mas X Menos to get stuff to make rice krispie treats for class on Saturday. We're going over sequence adverbs so we're gonna make them together using those words. The grocery store next door doesn't have plain marshmallows, just flavored ones- and they also only have choco-krispies. I just don't think it would come out good if I bought those haha.

Ok well that's about all that's going on here!

This is how dark it was, us at the table (using a flash), and then each of us (no flash) it was SO dark!


Oh my gosh, so these last couple days have been a little crazy! On Thursday Amber and I went to UNELA to teach our classes. I didn't like my class at all- not because of the students but because of the material. The students talk at a beginning level but are in an unpper-intermediate class. They could not grasp the grammar concept so we ended up spending the ENTIRE class trying to get it right. I felt so bad for them- they were supposed to learn 8 new phrases and how to use them with the proper grammar, thats a lot for such a short amount of time.

Anyway, at the end of the class the lights flickered a little and then they went off completely. I remembered that there was a candle and a box of matches in my box of materials so I got it out and lit it. We dismissed class and put our stuff away and then I met Amber outside, she was on one side of the building yelling for me to hurry up cause it was dark and she was alone.

So we leave the school (remember this is a dangerous part of town so we always take taxis) and the guard at the school says something along the lines of- 'hey its dangerous'. So Amber and I were like great, what are we supposed to do, theres no lights anywhere in site, just car lights. So we were standing there and this man comes out of UNELA and tells us he can give us a ride (and we accepted because he is a pastor) and he also said he can give us a ride each night we're there which is so great since we were a little worried about being in out at night alone....

Anyway so we get home and theres no power forever, but we did have two candles that we found earlier this week so we lit them and pretty much did nothing- hung out with our neighbors and then we read magazines by candle light.

Well Friday was good but we noticed the power was out again in the afternoon cause the microwave clock wasn't on so we went to the grocery store next door and bought some extra candles since it was running on a generator. We got home and just kinda waited for the sun to go away and by six or so it was dark in the house (we only have windows on one side of the house). Then we didnt know what to do about dinner cause the oven didnt work. THEN, we remembered that we have three gas burners! So we finally got one to light (after a huge flame and screaming) and we started dinner. Rice, beans, platanos and tomatoes- It was really great. Then Amber and I ate it by candle light and then washed the dishes- she said we were like pioneers. So the whole country was without power for hours!!!

So far today the power has been good, but we'll see what happens, its only 6:30! haha Tonight we're having some of Daniels friends over for a get together with food, it'll be a good chance to practice our Spanish...Ok talk to you later

Amber and Daniel washing dishes after lunch today

For my students...

This entry is for my students at home! I miss you all very much and think about you alot, I wish you could be in my classes here! =)....So this is what has happened in the last few days...

I have been sick for about two weeks now. I think it is some sort of infection, but I'm not sure. I've gone to the pharmacy several times to get medicine but nothing seems to be working! I keep having headaches and I'm dizzy, I also have alot of congestion. Maybe it's a sinus infection. At least I feel a little better today...However, I'm still peeling from my sunburn two weeks ago! (when I went to Nicoya for Semana Santa)

Over the last few days we've been doing some shopping for the house. We went to the hardware store and bought some light bulbs for the dining room and had a key made for the front door. We also went to a department store and bought some towels for the bathroom and kitchen. When we put the light bulbs into the lamp we lost all power in the house! We blew a fuse and didn't know what to do. So we lit some candles and had a friend fix it for us. We took the new bulbs out and tried to turn it on with the old bulbs but it went out again! And everytime it went out it made a very loud noise so Amber and I would scream. We talked to the owner and she told us not to touch the light anymore until the electician comes to fix it.

Last night we went to Quizno's for dinner. I think it was the first time we've had American food since we've been here. I had a sandwich with three types of meat and cheese, it was called the Classic Italian. It also came with lettuce, tomato, dressing, onions (my favorite!), and black olives, but I ordered it without olives because they are so disgusting (I hate olives).

Grocery shopping is very different here also. I am getting used to all the Latin American brands, but it is sometimes difficult because I cannot find the same foods that I eat in the US. But, I have learned to love the food here. For breakfast I eat eggs with red beans and onions and I usually buy bread at the bakery across the street. For lunch I have ham and cheese sandwiches, and I toast them in the oven (they are so delicious!) . And for dinner we have rice and beans with plantains or tomatoes or some other sort of vegetable. We don't ALWAYS have the same things to eat, but usually we do because it's easy =) This morning we made the yellow plantains for breakfast (maduros? is that the name?), they were very sweet.

We are having so many problems with bugs in the house! This week we haven't seen any roaches (thank God!) but we had lots of flying ants and flys. And the ants are very strange, they lose thier wings and then they crawl around the house, they are so gross, I hate them.

Tonight I have English class again, it is a new class for me. They are advanced learners and what they are learning tonight is very difficult, I hope it goes well!

Ok, well I need to go get ready, because I still haven't taken a shower or anything! haha, but I do miss you all very much! =) And if you ever want to call you can, my number here is 506.234.6059....

Here are pictures of Amber and I going out to dinner- the first one is us in front of the bread store and the other is with our neighbor who found this house for us! (my skirt looks shorter than it really is! haha)

UPDATE...

Ok, so it's been a couple days...Let's see what's new...

We went downtown on Friday and bought some stuff for our classes and our house. Just stuff like index cards, paper clips, and construction paper WOW so exciting I know...But we did buy a rice cooker and a big thing to hang on the wall- like a white board for the house.

Saturday was my first class! It went pretty good. It was a little hard to transition from beginners to intermediate for me. At home we do a lot of vocabulary because theyre just learning, but here I did almost all grammar. It's kind of hard to make things fun when it's grammar- but it'll come, I just have to get into the swing of things and get to know how my students learn and what they like to do. I had to get up so early, at 6 o'clock. Then I went out to the bus stop around 10 till 7 and caught a bus downtown and then walked a few blocks and then decided I didn't know where I was going so I got a taxi the rest of the way...

However, while I was walking I ran into this short little guy from LA. He asked me if I spoke English and then went on to tell me that he was robbed last night and didn't know any Spanish and everyone has been so mean to him and that our conversation was the longest one hes had since hes been here. So he asked me for some money for breakfast and I told him he could go into the bakery with me and I'd buy him something there since I was getting something too. Well he was set on a rice and beans breakfast from up the street and it was only like a dollar fifty. Well everyone knows how I am, so I gave him the money after I bought my breakfast and he said hed 'pay it forward, like the movie'...well since i hadnt seen the movie i didnt know what he was talking about but i told him to have a nice day...

After I got home I went to the Pharmacy to get some medicine because the night before I didn't sleep at ALL (and neither did Amber cause she had to listen to me coughing ALL night- sorry Amber) I think I've just had a headcold, or some sort of allergies- maybe to the change of climate and the fact that the seasons are changing here. I don't know but it was awful. Well Randall was at our house and I was about to pass out from the therma-flu stuff and I told him I gave some money that morning so Amber told him the story (I was too tired to do it myself) and he described the guy to us before we even got a chance to tell him what happened. He even knew the story the guy told me. Now I'm mad that I gave him money, unless he really did use it for breakfast and then it's ok, but if not that was so mean of him. About me being sick- today it's just sinus pressure...so we'll see what happens.

Sunday we left around 12 to go to the airport to get a suitcase from my parents. We go there and had to wait about an hour for the family to get through the airport, but it was worth the wait! She sent us lots of stuff for the kitchen (towels, pots, aluminum foil, saran wrap, pot holders, silverware, snacks, coffee creamer for amber, etc), bathroom (towels, deodorant-we cant seem to find any good brands here- lotions, etc) and then just other fun stuff like magazines in english TONS of roach killer and traps and candy =) THANKS SO MUCH!!! =) from both of us...Now whenever Mr. & Mrs. Henderson want to send us a package we're ready...just kidding =) but really...haha

Today was a holiday here- Juan Santamaria day- He was some kind of hero that saved a bunch of people from the Nicaraguans (or something like that) So alot of stuff was closed, but we didn't go anywhere anyway- we just stayed here and did lesson planning and stuff like that....I know we're living such an exciting life here!!!!

This is what we're using the white

board for right now...

I killed this one myself!!! (the first one)

And Amber cleaned it up on her own...(another first)

I think I drowned her with the bug spray...

Dinner with our neighbors....

Randall making the chicken...

Matty making the toast... a more efficient way than our broken-down toaster

Amber & I made the rice & beans...